Note : I did not go back there recently. The below info are based on my souvenirs from 1995 and the leaflets & documents collected.
Description : The answer of Singapore
to Disneyland
Comments : A whole island has been converted into an attraction
park. It is rather kitsch but fairly relaxing if you avoid the crowded week
ends.
What to do ? Ride a movie (Cinemania) / Join the army (Fort Siloso) /
Spot sharks without getting wet (Underwater World) / Admire butterflies / Erupt
yourself (VolcanoLand) / Splash yourself (Fantasy Island) / Fall for dolphins
(Dolphin Lagoon) / Climb the Merlion for a panoramic view / Walk on a dragon /
Have a look at other countries (Asian Village) / Relax on spotless artificial
beaches / Rollerblade on the alleys or rent a bike / Spot skeleton on a
nature walk / Have a photo with a snake / Watch monkeys getting coconuts / Walk
a suspended bridge / Admire a collection of shells / Cool off by one of the
numerous fountains or manicured gardens (orchid, scented, spices,...) / Bike on
water / Dream at the musical fountain / Stand on the southernmost point of the
Asia continent / Ride the monorail around for free / Dance on the beach in
swim suit at the two beach bars (regular foam parties as well) / Swim in the
laguna
What you may not like ? The cost of most of the attractions /
The crowd on WE / The plastic look / The exaggerated claim : "If you
haven't experienced Sentosa, you haven't been to Singapore". The stamp on
your passport will prove your Singapore trip anyway !
How long ? It is big. Count one day.
Where to stay ? There are a few hotels on the island but they
are from the very expensive types. There is however a Youth Hostel and a
campsite (tel : 279 1777 Mond to Frid and 270 7888 Sat, Sund & PH)
Where to eat ? Restaurants & refreshment stalls at strategic
locations. Bring your sandwiches to save money...
Admission cost ? $5 or $3 after 6:30pm. A fair deal !
How to reach ? Three ways if you do not wish to walk the bridge or to swim one of the busiest ports in the world :
- by Sentosa Bus : $6 or 7 for two-ways bus rides and the admission fee / The cheapest
- by Ferry : $2.30 for two-ways
- by Cable Car : from Mt Faber or the WTC / $6.90 one way, $15 two-ways / Easily the most spectacular, in particular if you take the world's first glass bottom cabine !
The attractions ? Not
all of them are worth the entrance fees and it is very much possible to have a
great day without getting any extra ticket, thanks to the free shows and the pleasant
setting. If you wish to visit it all, start saving money :
- Butterfly Park / Insect Kingdom Museum : $6 / If you plan to go to Malaysia, save your money for the cheaper park in KL.
- Cinemania : $10 / Expensive for a 15mn movie !
- Dolphin Lagoon : $11 / Apparently, a 45mn show with... dolphins ! / Go to Thailand, Cambodia or Laos and possibly spot some in the wild for free !
- Fantasy Island : Bring your swimsuit plus $16 ($8 after 6pm, open until 10pm during WE)
- Images of Singapore : $5 for a 1.5 hours heritage showcase. But did you come to Sentosa to learn something ?
- Orchid Gardens : $3.5 / Go to Pulau Ubin and spot orchids for free...
- The Merlion : $3 / An expensive panorama
- Underwater world : $13 / Save that money for a real dive in Malaysia or Thailand !
- VolcanoLand : $12 / An impressive price for an impressive show ?
- Maritime Museum : Free ! / Rush there to spot some fishes and a good collection of shells
- Fort Silosa : The only remaining British coastal fortification in Singapore may be worth a visit only if you fancy the army's way of life and guns' way of firing / $3 / 9 to 19
- Musical Fountain : Free and the best attraction ! / After seeing a day show (5pm & 5:30pm), you will probably wish to stay for a more spectacular night show (7:30pm, 8:30pm & 9:30pm) and see the Merlion raise...
- Monkey Show & Bird show : Free !
